Environment

The changes and wonders of the natural world—and how human interaction influences animals, the ocean, and the rest of the environment.

Latest in Environment

High Line elevated walkway and forest in Manhattan, New York City

Environment

4 ways the Inflation Reduction Act invests in healthier forests and greener cities 4 ways the Inflation Reduction Act invests in healthier forests and greener cities

Orange male betta fish surrounded by eggs in a greenery-filled aquarium

Environment

Captive fish have feelings we’re just beginning to understand Captive fish have feelings we’re just beginning to understand

By Brandon Keim

A scuba diver takes a step into the ocean.

Environment

A diver’s guide to a more sustainable scuba adventure A diver’s guide to a more sustainable scuba adventure

By Carla Delgado

Environment

What the Colorado River’s record lows mean for western US What the Colorado River’s record lows mean for western US

By Laura Baisas

Science

3D models show the megalodon was faster, fiercer than we ever thought 3D models show the megalodon was faster, fiercer than we ever thought

By Laura Baisas

Snapping turtle brutally takes down a water snake on camera

Environment

Snapping turtle brutally takes down a water snake on camera Snapping turtle brutally takes down a water snake on camera

By Steven Hill/Field & Stream

Juicy peach with slit to represent vabbing on an orange background

Health

Does ‘vabbing’ work? The truth about vaginal pheromones. Does ‘vabbing’ work? The truth about vaginal pheromones.

By Lyric Aquino

High-tech buoys with underwater microphones could save sperm whales from ship collisions

Environment

High-tech buoys with underwater microphones could save sperm whales from ship collisions High-tech buoys with underwater microphones could save sperm whales from ship collisions

By Claudia Geib / Hakai Magazine

A genetics startup wants to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction

Environment

A genetics startup wants to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction A genetics startup wants to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction

By Laura Baisas

Best reef-safe sunscreen sliced header

Gear

Best reef-safe sunscreens Best reef-safe sunscreens

By Suzie Dundas

a semi-translucent fish with a tadpole-shaped body and small flecks of red and yellow

Environment

Biofluorescent snailfish brave Arctic waters with built-in antifreeze Biofluorescent snailfish brave Arctic waters with built-in antifreeze

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Atarraya's Shrimpbox design

Technology

This startup wants to farm shrimp in computer-controlled cargo containers This startup wants to farm shrimp in computer-controlled cargo containers

By Charlotte Hu

YouTube screenshot of snake using DIY invention to walk with robot legs

Technology

Watch a snake wearing robot trousers strut like a lizard Watch a snake wearing robot trousers strut like a lizard

Older couple sitting on bench in Miami.

Environment

By 2050, most of the US will be blanketed by extreme heat belt By 2050, most of the US will be blanketed by extreme heat belt

By Laura Baisas

Press photo of John Deere 8RX Tractor with ExactEmerge Planter

Technology

John Deere tractors are getting the jailbreak treatment from hackers John Deere tractors are getting the jailbreak treatment from hackers

a black woman in a stanford baseball cap stands in the hatch of a submersible about to load

Science

Meet the marine geologist mapping the deepest point on Earth Meet the marine geologist mapping the deepest point on Earth

By Tatyana Woodall

From lions to waterfalls, here are some of the year’s best nature photos

Environment

From lions to waterfalls, here are some of the year’s best nature photos From lions to waterfalls, here are some of the year’s best nature photos

By Marissa Wu / Popular Photography

Baby hippo Fritz with mother at Cincinnati Zoo.

Environment

Cincinnati Zoo welcomes surprise baby hippo after mother’s birth control ‘fritzes’ Cincinnati Zoo welcomes surprise baby hippo after mother’s birth control ‘fritzes’

By Laura Baisas

Air conditioning units on orange wall.

Environment

What do AC limits mean for a heatwave-stricken Europe? What do AC limits mean for a heatwave-stricken Europe?

American beaver swimming with head out of water

Environment

Wolves and beavers can have magical ecosystem effects—if they have space to thrive Wolves and beavers can have magical ecosystem effects—if they have space to thrive

The Arctic is warming nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet

Environment

The Arctic is warming nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet The Arctic is warming nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet

By Jonathan Bamber / The Conversation

Kids with long frizzy brown hair birdwatching with binoculars from a duck blind

Environment

How to become a citizen scientist—and when to leave it to the professionals How to become a citizen scientist—and when to leave it to the professionals

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Everything you need to know about EV tax credits and the Inflation Reduction Act

Technology

Everything you need to know about EV tax credits and the Inflation Reduction Act Everything you need to know about EV tax credits and the Inflation Reduction Act

a black and white ghostly image of a jumping spider hanging by a thin silk strand in a sleep-like state

Science

Jumping spiders might be able to sleep—perchance to dream Jumping spiders might be able to sleep—perchance to dream

By Lauren J. Young

These critically endangered albatrosses are being plagued by mice

Environment

These critically endangered albatrosses are being plagued by mice These critically endangered albatrosses are being plagued by mice

By Ryan Truscott / Hakai Magazine

special sensor lidar truck from Brookhaven

Technology

A decked out laser truck is helping scientists understand urban heat islands A decked out laser truck is helping scientists understand urban heat islands

By Charlotte Hu

A sauropod like Galeamopus would have walked on soft pads.

Science

Cushy feet supported sauropods’ gigantic bodies Cushy feet supported sauropods’ gigantic bodies

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

East Antarctic ice sheet collapse in March 2022.

Environment

The East Antarctic Ice Sheet could raise sea levels 16 feet by 2500 The East Antarctic Ice Sheet could raise sea levels 16 feet by 2500

By Laura Baisas

Shrew on the forest floor.

Environment

Newly discovered Langya virus may have jumped from shrews to humans Newly discovered Langya virus may have jumped from shrews to humans

By Laura Baisas

The Navy is struggling with a summer of bad weather ‘mishaps’

Technology

The Navy is struggling with a summer of bad weather ‘mishaps’ The Navy is struggling with a summer of bad weather ‘mishaps’

By Nicholas Slayton / Task & Purpose

Image of Bathynomus yucatanensis.

Environment

This giant isopod lives in the crater of a dinosaur-killing asteroid This giant isopod lives in the crater of a dinosaur-killing asteroid

By Laura Baisas

The majority of infectious diseases in humans can get a boost from climate change

Health

The majority of infectious diseases in humans can get a boost from climate change The majority of infectious diseases in humans can get a boost from climate change

By Tristan McKenzie, et al. / The Conversation

A rare and multicolored sea slug has been recorded in UK waters for the first time.

Environment

This dashing tropical sea slug just showed up in the UK This dashing tropical sea slug just showed up in the UK

By Sara Kiley Watson

One of the world’s driest places just saw record flooding

Environment

One of the world’s driest places just saw record flooding One of the world’s driest places just saw record flooding

By Laura Baisas

Woman in black shirt and green plants standing in a grassy marsh in front of white clouds by the Formosa plant in Point Comfort, Texas

Environment

When an environmental activist needed allies to fight a polluting petrochemical plant, she turned to Vietnamese shrimpers When an environmental activist needed allies to fight a polluting petrochemical plant, she turned to Vietnamese shrimpers

By Kirk Wallace Johnson

A brown dog which is in the middle of some dark tiles inserted in a wooden box.

Gear

Best dog crates Best dog crates

By Stacey L. Nash

a vibrant orange and black monarch butterfly perched on a purple flower

Environment

The monarch butterfly is scientifically endangered. So why isn’t it legally protected yet? The monarch butterfly is scientifically endangered. So why isn’t it legally protected yet?

By Lauren J. Young

Scientists are reconstructing what ancient whales saw to look into the past

Environment

Scientists are reconstructing what ancient whales saw to look into the past Scientists are reconstructing what ancient whales saw to look into the past

By Jason P. Dinh / Hakai Magazine

Wind turbines on hill.

Environment

The Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS could kick US climate policy back into action The Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS could kick US climate policy back into action

Well water from Red Hill Navy fuel facility being pumped out through pipes into the Halawa Stream surrounded by pink and white graffiti

Environment

What will it take to save Oahu’s freshwater from the Red Hill fuel leak? What will it take to save Oahu’s freshwater from the Red Hill fuel leak?

Future LEDs could be made with fish scales

Environment

Future LEDs could be made with fish scales Future LEDs could be made with fish scales

By Dan Bracaglia / Popular Photography

Spherical fusion energy reactor in gold, copper, and silver seen from above

Science

Nuclear power’s biggest problem could have a small solution Nuclear power’s biggest problem could have a small solution

Montana’s devastating wildfires are starting underground

Environment

Montana’s devastating wildfires are starting underground Montana’s devastating wildfires are starting underground

By Austyn Gaffney / High Country News

Rio Grande silvery minnow endangered fish on black background

Environment

An endangered fish’s story follows the vanishing waters of the Rio Grande An endangered fish’s story follows the vanishing waters of the Rio Grande

Children running a race at sunset

Health

How to protect your children during heat waves How to protect your children during heat waves

By Emmarie Huetteman / KHN

a white lab rat held in a gloved hand

Science

These sterile mice have been modified to make rat sperm These sterile mice have been modified to make rat sperm

House with solar panels on roof.

Environment

How can electrified buildings handle energy peaks? How can electrified buildings handle energy peaks?

By Carla Delgado

Why the Forest Service has a manual for blowing up horse carcasses

Environment

Why the Forest Service has a manual for blowing up horse carcasses Why the Forest Service has a manual for blowing up horse carcasses

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

Iberian lynx licking its lips in captive breeding program

Environment

The curious case of an endangered wildcat and a disappearing fruit tree The curious case of an endangered wildcat and a disappearing fruit tree

A long, black insect with butt-pincers and long antennae.

Environment

Do earwigs really live in our ears? Do earwigs really live in our ears?

By Philip Kiefer

Farmers and scientists unite to save the home of an endangered salamander

Environment

Farmers and scientists unite to save the home of an endangered salamander Farmers and scientists unite to save the home of an endangered salamander

By Lourdes Medrano/Undark

Small European panda from 6 million years ago in a painting

Science

Pandas weren’t always bamboo fiends Pandas weren’t always bamboo fiends

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Power lines against sunset.

Environment

In Texas, a strained grid braces for more crypto mining In Texas, a strained grid braces for more crypto mining

Sable Island’s famous wild horses are at the heart of a conservation controversy

Environment

Sable Island’s famous wild horses are at the heart of a conservation controversy Sable Island’s famous wild horses are at the heart of a conservation controversy

By Moira Donovan / Hakai Magazine

Great white shark breaching while trying to bite a seal

Science

Great white shark sightings are up in the US, which is kind of good news Great white shark sightings are up in the US, which is kind of good news

Plastic floating in the sea

Environment

Plastic garbage in the sea is a life raft for pathogens Plastic garbage in the sea is a life raft for pathogens

By Michael Allen / Hakai Magazine

A clay pot filled with milk, with a spoon of milk over it.

Science

Ancient milk-drinkers were just fine with their lactose intolerance–until famine struck Ancient milk-drinkers were just fine with their lactose intolerance–until famine struck

By Philip Kiefer

Flooded buildings and cars in neighborhood.

Environment

Disaster prep can save lives, but isn’t as accessible to those most at risk Disaster prep can save lives, but isn’t as accessible to those most at risk

By Carla Delgado

a close up of a fossil horse tooth

Science

A centuries-old horse tooth holds clues to the mystery of the Chincoteague ponies A centuries-old horse tooth holds clues to the mystery of the Chincoteague ponies

By Kate Baggaley

Henry Ford article How Power Will Set Men Free

Environment

Why hasn’t Henry Ford’s ideal power grid become a reality? Why hasn’t Henry Ford’s ideal power grid become a reality?

By Bill Gourgey

A person using a plant ID app

Sponsored Content

Become a better plant parent with this plant identification and care app Become a better plant parent with this plant identification and care app

By Stack Commerce

Environment

If insects feel pain, should we reconsider how we experiment on them? If insects feel pain, should we reconsider how we experiment on them?

By Katarina Zimmer / Undark

Oak Fire satellite image

Environment

A hellish combination of topography, weather, and fuel stirred the Oak Fire A hellish combination of topography, weather, and fuel stirred the Oak Fire

By Sara Kiley Watson

Alaska chum salmon

Environment

Alaska’s salmon are in chaos Alaska’s salmon are in chaos

By Victoria Petersen / High Country News